Canberra’s heroics mean little as their finals quest is over

6 weeks ago, you would not have tipped the Canberra Raiders to make the finals, let alone the semi-final. Fast-forward to yesterday, however, and the Raiders were the in-form side of the competition, winning 6 on the trot in the lead-up to the finals.

As they faced Souths, it was clear that it would not be their night in any shape or form, as early errors and penalties gifted the Bunnies the chance to produce and score points.

One of the Raiders best on the night in Sam Williams, knows that that is just not good enough at this level.

“It’s just hugely disappointing,” said Williams.

“We had a really big high this weekend (after winning 34-16 against Cronulla in finals week one), but we just didn’t back it up.

“We probably do take a bit of confidence out of the last seven or eight weeks, but the thing that sticks in your mind is the last game.

“And we weren’t so good.”

Whilst Raiders coach David Furner believes that his side did not deserve to lose the game like that, Williams admits it was the message in the finals that the club had to have.

“It’s going to be pretty fresh in our minds,” he said.

“Now we know we’ve got to work hard and go further.”

With the return of Terry Campese for 2013, Williams knows he has his work cut out to make the side, but he is looking forward to the challenge.